Can you drink milk if you have upper gastrointestinal bleeding?

Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
Updated on November 26, 2024
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Patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding are advised not to drink milk. Although milk can dilute gastric acid, it can stimulate the secretion of gastric acid, exacerbating symptoms of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. In severe cases, it can lead to a recurrence of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Therefore, patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding should avoid drinking milk during the acute phase. After the onset of upper gastrointestinal bleeding, it is recommended to visit the gastroenterology department of a formal hospital as soon as possible, and complete auxiliary examinations such as an electronic gastroscopy to clarify the diagnosis. Additionally, treatment for upper gastrointestinal bleeding can be carried out through relevant endoscopic therapies. Patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding should consume easily digestible foods in their diet.

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Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
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Is upper gastrointestinal bleeding easy to treat?

I can only say that most upper gastrointestinal bleeding can be treated. Common issues such as gastric and duodenal ulcers, complex ulcers, and bleeding caused by acute gastric mucosal lesions can be managed with intravenous or oral administration of proton pump inhibitors, such as omeprazole, lansoprazole, etc., combined with hemostatic drugs and dietary control, often achieving satisfactory therapeutic effects. Cases like bleeding from esophagogastric varices due to liver cirrhosis may require endoscopic sclerotherapy or banding, and sometimes surgery, but recurrent bleeding can occur. Bleeding caused by gastrointestinal tumors requires treatment of the primary disease and often has a poor prognosis. Additionally, bleeding from the gastroduodenal artery, which is severe and urgent, can be addressed with surgical intervention if treatments like endoscopic electrocoagulation are ineffective.

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Written by Wang Li Bing
Intensive Care Medicine Department
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Upper gastrointestinal bleeding examination methods

Upper gastrointestinal bleeding is relatively common in clinical practice. The main diagnostic methods include gastroscopy, barium meal examination of the gastrointestinal tract, and DS imaging of the gastrointestinal tract, among others. If a patient experiences a large amount of bleeding at a rapid pace after upper gastrointestinal bleeding, it can lead to a drop in blood volume and hypovolemic shock, which can be life-threatening. In such cases, it is crucial to seek prompt medical treatment and use hemostatic drugs, and even endoscopic hemostasis or surgical intervention may be necessary to actively save the patient's life.

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Written by Wang Chun Mei
Pulmonology
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Why does pulmonary heart disease cause upper gastrointestinal bleeding?

Cor pulmonale is a very common type of heart disease in the clinic, mainly caused by various etiologies leading to pulmonary arterial hypertension, which results in right ventricular hypertrophy. Typically, patients with this disease have underlying pulmonary and cardiac lesions, and it mainly causes symptoms of varying degrees, such as fever, cough, expectoration, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and even difficulty breathing. Cor pulmonale is a complex disease, and if not managed properly in clinical practice, it can lead to many complications, especially respiratory failure and heart failure. This can lead to insufficient blood and oxygen supply, causing various degrees of increased pressure in the gastric vessels or vascular spasms due to hypoxia, all of which can cause patients to experience upper gastrointestinal bleeding during severe coughing, or when consuming certain foods.

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Written by Wang Li Bing
Intensive Care Medicine Department
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What kind of stool is there with upper gastrointestinal bleeding?

In clinical terms, the upper gastrointestinal tract refers to the digestive system above the ligament of Treitz, primarily including the duodenum, stomach, and esophagus. If there is a minor amount of bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract, the color of the stool may not change significantly. However, if there is substantial bleeding, the blood can react with gastric acid and may form black, tar-like stools. If gastrointestinal bleeding is detected, it is essential to seek medical attention promptly. An endoscopic examination can be performed to establish a clear diagnosis and undertake aggressive treatment, which can potentially save the patient's life.

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Written by Wang Li Bing
Intensive Care Medicine Department
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What causes upper gastrointestinal bleeding?

The most common causes of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. The first is hemorrhage due to peptic ulcers. The second is bleeding from ruptured esophageal and gastric varices. The third is acute erosive hemorrhagic gastritis. The fourth is bleeding caused by gastric cancer. The fifth is bleeding caused by Mallory-Weiss syndrome. After the occurrence of gastrointestinal bleeding, it is necessary to seek medical attention promptly, undergo treatments like hemostasis and blood transfusion in the hospital, and actively manage the symptoms. If necessary, a gastroscopy can be performed for endoscopic hemostasis. If not treated actively, emaciated individuals' lives may be at risk, so caution is necessary.